Box folding machine



Aug. 22, 1933. R slMMONS 1,923,121

BOX FOLDING MACHINE Filed Feb. 25, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORNEYJ.

Aug. 22, 1933. R SIMMQNS 1,923,121

BOX FOLDING MACH INE Filed Feb. 25, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 i w 40? W 1 8INVENTOR.

Pal/1 A. j/nna/vs l I 14 ATTORNEY5.

PATENT; OFFICE BOX FOLDING MACHINE Paul R. Simmons, Marion, Ind.,assignmto Indiana Fibre Products Company,

a Corporation Application February 25,

18 Claims.

This invention relates to a folding machine for forming tubularlyarranged flattened box blanks from flat scored pieces. This applicationis a continuation in part of a co-pending application filed June 1,1931, Serial No. 541,297, entitled Universal continuous folder forboxes.

The before-mentioned invention and the present invention are directed tomechanisms for forming from flat scored sheets flattened tubu- 19larly-arranged box blanks with the ends thereof lying substantially inabutting relation and with the line of abutting relation substantiallyat right angles to the length of a box so that substantially square 'orrectangular box arrangement will be obtained from the tubular blankswhen opened for filling purposes.

Folding boxes, when handled by machines of this general character. have,by reason of the blank travel while infolding of the ends, usuallyvaried from the exact transverse arrangement from one-eighth of an inchto one-fourth of an inch or more deviation betweenone long side of theblank to the other side of the blank. This, when the box is set up orarranged tubularly, does not form a box of an exact rectangular orsquare cross section with the result that the end forming flaps of thebox will not lie square with the adjacent sides, which results in animperfect box. An absolutely so-called squared box is called for thepackaging of very small articles.

The present invention, like that disclosed in the before-mentionedapplication, provides a machine wherein the several parts cooperate in asubstantially fool-proof manner. In common with the previous disclosure,the present invention is so arranged that the parts may be quicklyadjusted for operation upon various sizes of sheets for forming the boxblanks of different sizes.

The chief object of the invention, therefore, is to provide a machinewhich will not only eliminate so-called manual folding of box formingsheets or blanks, but which will also have a capacity or rate ofproduction far in excess of manual operation and of previous machines,as well as that illustrated and described in the copending application,and which will form absolutely square or transverse joints and folds inthe box so that the blanks as discharged in folded and flattenedrelation from this machine can be directly discharged to an automatictaping machine of which there are several commercial forms now on themarket, which taping machine automatically applies sealing tape to thesubstantially abutting edges of the infolded ends of the blank andthereby secures them in the desired relation and forms the tubular blankthat can be later set up as a box at the point where the box is to beused. These blanks are shipped flat to the customer and usually inbundles or bales which permit the customer to store them Marion, Ind.,

1932. Serial No. 595,086

in a minimum amount of space, and this form of shipment also reduces thetransportation costs because a greater number of box blanks can beplaced in the same transportation space.

The chief feature of the invention consists in the formation of amachine which accomplishes all of the foregoing purposes and the objector this invention.

Other features of the invention will appear more fully from the detaileddescription hereinafter set forth.

The full nature of the invention will be understood from theaccompanying drawings and the following description and claims:

In the drawings, Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a machine embodying theinvention, certain of the power mechanism being omitted, for the same isillustrated and described in the copending application to whichreference is herein made. Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view throughthe machine and is taken in the plane of line 2-2 of Fig. l and in thedirection of the arrows. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of aportion of the machine adjacent the discharge end showing the clamp formaintaining the infolded ends in infolded relation, parts being shown atthe point of engagement of the clamp by the box. Fig. 4 is a similarview showing the same parts in a subsequent position. Fig. 5 is a topplan view of the clamp mechanism and a part of the support therefor.Fig. 6 is a top plan view of a portion of one of the infoldingmechanisms. Fig. 7 is a sectional view of some of the same partsillustrated in Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 2 and of amodified form of device.

In the drawings 11 indicates platform portions suitably'mounted upon anyconventional framework, and the platform portions lie flush with theangle guide members. Extending from one end of the machine to the otheris an endless conveyor construction shown herein as comprising fourparallel chains 13, each of which rides over sprocket gears at oppositeends of the machine, and power is applied to one of the shaftsassociated with the sprockets at one end of the machine. The respectivechains are connected by transversely-positioned bars 19. Each bar issecured in predetermined and equidistant spaced relation relative to theothers. Each bar includes a projecting free end which is down-turned asat 20, and which underlies an angle member 12. Said bar is therebyprevented from elevating above the plane of the platform or thepredetermined operating plane of the device. Suitable intermediateplatform portions, indicated at 21, are also provided and lie in theoperating plane. They are spaced from each other and from the otherplatform portions forming channels or longitudinal slots 100 in theplanes on which are mounted the chains.

An overhead cross member 22 is suitably supported as at 23 andadjustably carried thereby are the vertically positioned guide and stopmembers 24. The cross member is squared so that the members 24 arealways maintained vertically or approximately so, no matter in whatadjusted position they may be. These members 24 may be adjustedlongitudinally along cross member 22 and, therefore, towards and awayfrom each other, depending upon the width of the sheets of corrugatedpaper board stock or like material which had been previously cut andscored and are positioned so that one edge of all of the sheets bearsagainst the members 24 and all sheets are aligned thereby. The thicknessof each sheet determines the vertical adjustment of the members 24 withrespect to its support 240. upon the cross member 22. Each verticalsupport 24 terminates above the plane of operation and the openingtherebeneath is just sufficient to permit a single sheet 9, which, asbefore stated, has been scored as at 10 and slotted as at 8, to passbeneath the lower ends of the vertical supports 24. The bar members 19are also of such thickness that they too will just pass beneath thelower edge of each member 24, whereby single sheet feeding is obtained.Preferably the space between the bars 19 on the chains 13 is sufiicientto accommodate the largest width of blank or sheet to be operated upon.The thickness of the bar 19 is also limited in amount, being no greaterthan the minimum thickness of the stock or sheet to be handled. Thickersheets, of course, will be readily handled thereby.

To insure the predetermined positioning of the sheet upon the conveyingmechanism so that the subsequent functions of the folding mechanisms maybe properly co-ordinated for obtaining a square folded box, there ispositioned a longitudinal side aligning member 25 which is adjustablymounted on the support 22, as at 26.

Suitably supported by the member 22 and extending downwardly therefromare the guide and bearing members having the depending portions 2'7 andthe longitudinal downwardly-inclined although approximatelyhorizontally-positioned bearing portions 28. Herein three of saidmembers are illustrated and the same are positioned in spaced relationto each other and in predetermined relation relative to the infoldingmechanisms subsequently to be described. The two outer portions 28 areadjusted in position upon the cross member 22 so that they lie adjacentthe two end longitudinal scorings 10, but within the same, or otherwiseexpressed, their outer longitudinal edges are spaced a less distanceapart than the space between the two iongitudinal end scorings 10.

In certain instances these two members 28 may be omitted, but in thepresent form of the invention, the intermediate member 28, or itsequivalent, it is believed cannot be dispensed with. Said intermediatemember 28 is extended beyond the ends of the othermembers 28, asindicated at 14, and, as shown clearly in Fig. 1, said inter-' mediatemember is enlarged laterally for forming a wide bearing surface. Theposition of this intermediate member 28 is determined by the normalposition of the gap between the two substantially abutting ends of theblank when infolded. The blank 9 is herein illustrated as rectangularlyoutlined and will form a box with two sides wider than the two othersides. That accounts for the fact that herein the intermediate member 28is positioned closer to one of the outer members 28 than the othermember 28.

As the carrier bar 19 moves from beneath the members 24, it carries withit the bottom sheet 9 and said sheet is carried forwardly by theconveyor mechanism and beneath the pressing members 28. To insurepositive forward movement of the sheet that has passed beneath themembers 24, each of the carrier bars 19 is provided with a pivot formingsupport 101 upon which is pivotally supported an arm 102 terminating ina large radius curved guide and aligning plate 103. Each carrier bar 19supports at least one of these structures and preferably one in each ofthe channels or longitudinal slots 100. Gravity normally retains thearms and plates in depending relation when the bar 19 is in the upperrun. To positively insure non-interference with members 24 and 27, evenif longitudinally aligned therewith, although preferably the members 27are never so aligned, and more particularly to prevent engagement of theplates 103 with the approaching edge of more than the lowest sheet inthe stack, a spring 104 retains each guide plate retracted. To obtainfull aligning benefit from the plates and each bar 19, the latter isnotched as at 105 to nestingly receive the plate 103. The rear edge ofthe blank, therefore, simultaneously bears against the forward edge ofthe bar 19 and all of the forward faces of the plates 103 carriedthereby.

Positioned below the plane of the platform and in alignment with theslots or channels 100 are support guides that tilt the aforesaid platemechanism upwardly in opposition to spring 104 to insure positiveforward movement of the sheet. In other words, in addition to thepressing bars 28, the sheet is prevented from disengagement with theforward edge of the carrier bar 19 and sliding back over the bar.Whenever the outside pressing members 28 must of necessity be positionedsuch that they overlie the slots 100, the cam member last mentioned isomitted and that is substantially what is illustrated in Fig. 1.However, the tiltable members must be elevated substantially at theposition corresponding to the enlargement indicated at 14 in Fig. 1, andmember 106 must not be removed. This member 106 then elevates the plateand the portion 107 retains the plates elevated until the completelyfolded box blank is ready for discharge from the device to the automaticpaster. Longitudinal adjustment of this cam and support portion 106-107with relation to the time cycle can be obtained as indicated at 108. Acam guide and support member 106-107 is provided for each longitudinallyaligned set of plates 103.

Suitably supported upon the framework of the machine, as at 29, is atransversely-positioned member 31, and the member 31 is slidablysupported in an elongated bearing 30. A pair of said members areoppositely disposed and adjustably mounted in the bearings 30 atopposite sides of the machine. Each member 31 is suitably secured to theoutside of an infolding guide member 32. Each guide member 32 isadjustably supported as at 33 upon a transverse member 34 carried by themain frame through the brackets 35. The elongated members 28 extendparallel I members 32 for the infolding of the ends of the sheet islikewise shown clearly in said figure and is substantially the same asthat illustrated in the before-mentioned application.

Positioned between the discharge station and the ends of the members 32is an adjustable folding mechanism that is adapted to engage the ends ofthe'blank and elevate the same. These mechanisms cooperate with theoutside members 28 which hold down the body of the sheet. At each sideand in one of the slots 100 there is movable a cam member 36 which hasthe conformation shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and is arranged to be rotated.In its rotation and when advancing upwardly, the cam member engages theend of the sheet when the middle of the end is positioned directlythereover so that the end is folded along the outside longitudinalscoring 10 in substantially transverse relation to the top and bottom.

The cam and infolding member 36 includes a hub 37 that is reduced at 39to form a groove, a plate 38 completing the groove. Supported in thegroove and permitting rotation of the hub 3'7 is a yoke 40 whichterminates in a hub 41 having rotatable engagement with a shaft 42threadedly mounted in a bracket 43 secured to the machine framestructure as at 45. The shaft 42 terminates in the hand wheel 145.

Rotatably supported in the bracket 43 and in bearing 46 thereof, is ashaft 48 which is restrained against longitudinal movement by thecollars 47. The shaft 48 has keyways 48a therein and the hub 37 has acomplementary keyway 49a. A key 49 secures the two together. The plate38, in addition to forming part of the groove for the yoke, also retainsthe key49 associated with the cam guide and infolding member 36. Theshaft 48 is rotated through the bevel gears 47a. The mechanism, as shownin Fig. 2, is duplicated, and as will also be apparent from said figure,the relative spacing between the cam members 36 can be adjusted byadjusting the hand wheels 44 without interfering with the rotation ofthe cam members. The gears 47a are operable in timed relation with thechains and, therefore, cams 36 are operable .in predetermined relationrelative to the carrier bars 19.

Depending from the support 34 and longitudinally adjustable thereon is abracket 50. The bracket 50 adjustably supports at 50a an arm 51 whichterminates in a cam faced shoe or presser member 52 which is curvedupwardly and forwardly, see Figs. 3 and 4. Extending rearwardly from theshoe is a pressing extension 53.

Pivotally supported at 55 by the shoe is a yieldingly-mounted stop ortransverse aligner 54 which has limited movement determined by the pins59 and 60. The member 54 normally projects below the bottom level 'ofthe shoe so that it is engaged by the forward edge of the sheet and theinfolding ends in the forward travel thereof. The member 54 is thereupontilted counterclockwise, see Fig. 3, to the position shown in Fig. 4, inopposition to a spring 57 secured to an arm 56 of the member 54, saidspring being anchored at 58. The continued travel of the sheet retainsthe member 54 in the position shown in Fig. 4 until the sheet has passedtherebeneath, whereupon the member 54 is returned to the position shownin Fig. 3 by spring 58. The relative relationship and shape of the partsis shown clearly in Figs. 4 and 5.

If additional infolding mechanism is desired,

there are provided stationary extensions 32a carried by the member 32which prevent the up-' wardly-directed ends of the blank from returningto their original positions. The shape of the cam 36 is such that theends of the blanks are held elevated until the forward edge of theupwardly-folded ends clears or passes beyond the free end of the member32a.

To positively insure complete infolding and lowering movement of theupwardly-folded ends of the blank, infolding mechanism is provided whichis operated in timed relation to the travel of the bars 19 so that theinfolded ends are folded flat and in parallel relation to the body ofthe sheet prior to the engagement of the same, which position issubstantially that illustrated in Fig. 3, by the cam shoe 52.

Such mechanism is shown clearly in Figs. 1, 6 and 7. Each carrier barupon its outer and depressed lower end 20 mounts a roller '73 upon apivot '74. The upper face of the pivot may ride upon or ratherimmediately below the angle members without interference. The roller 73is arranged to engage the inclined face 71 of a lever '70 having areceding face 72. The lever 70 is pivoted at 69 and has an arm 68 thatis connected by a universal joint to a reciprocating rod 66. Thereciprocating rod 66 is pivotally connected at 65 to a link 64 which inturn is pivotally connected to'a support 63 carried by an infoldingmember 61. The pivotal connection between the link 64 and portion 63 isat right angles to the connection 65 so that substantially universaljoint operation is obtained therewith. The infolding member 61 ispivotally supported at opposite ends by a hinge arrangement 62. When thecam portion 71 is engaged by the roller, the member 66 is projectedinwardly toward the shoe or transversely of the line of travel, and thiscauses the member 61 to tilt inwardly and downwardly which carries withit the adjacent upwardly folded and partially infolded end of the blank.A spring 76 serves to return the member 61 and associated mechanism toreceiving or upwardly-tilted position.

The duration of contact between the roller and the cam is sufllcient topermit the two inwardly directed infolding members 61 to be movedinwardly and moved downwardly for causing the ends to lie adjacent themain body of the sheet and parallel thereto in infolding relation withthe outer edges in substantially abutting relation to the members 61holding down these ends until the forward edge of the blank and the endsengage the shoe and the member 54. The members 28, as illustrated inFig. 1, terminate short of the position designated by the members 61 sothat the members 61 when positioned parallel to the sheet, serve thesame function that the outer members 28 have theretofore served, butwith this addition, that they also hold down the superimposed endsduring the continued travel of the sheet and the ends. The members 61hold down the ends of the sheet parallel to the blank until the variousportions thereof have squared themselves by reason of the forward edgecontacting the wide member 54 which forces rearwardly the portions ofthe blank and ends against the plates 103 which have at this stationbeen caused to be elevated by the engagement of the cooperating camportions 106107 if not previously actuated.

In Fig. 8 there is illustrated a modified form of infolding rotating camstructure. In said figure like and similar parts are indicated bysimilar numerals of the one hundred series. The

rotating form of the invention, it has been found, will tear theinfolding end of the blank from the same when the rate of foldingexceeds one hundred a minute.

In this form of the invention, the cam 136 in addition to rotating withshaft 148, also at a predetermined portion of its travel, is slidlongitudinally thereof for infolding without severance of the blank end.The cam 141 rotates with shaft 148. Its longitudinal movement iscontrolled by groove 139 therein that receives the roller 142 carried byarm 143. As the cam 141 moves to and fro on shaft 148, it shifts cam 136therewith through the adjustable connection 138-140-145 provided fordifferent sizes of boxes. In other words, the cam 136 is adjusted forbox sizes thereby and is the full equivalent of the hand wheeladjustment shown in Fig. 2. The cam 136 in addition to rotating as cam36 in Fig. 2, also moves toward and away from the blank body. Thecombination rotation and sliding of cam 136 does not tear the foldingend from the blank when the rate of folding exceeds one hundred perminute.

The invention claimed is:

1. In a folding machine for forming tubularly arranged collapsed boxblanks from flat scored sheets, the combination with an endlessconveyor, of means supplying but a single sheet to said conveyor, thesheets being supplied in successive and spaced relation thereto, spacedmeans simultaneously elevating towards each other the opposite ends ofthe sheets and from the plane of sheet travel, including rotatable camguides for inturning the elevated ends of the sheet in the forwardmovement thereof, spaced means for positioning the inturned and downwardends with edges substantially abutting, and means arranged to engage thesubstantially abutting edges for initially squaring the infolded ends,compressing the same adjacent the lower portion of blank and thenholding the same in that position for taping.

2. A device as defined by claim 1, characterized by the addition ofmeans arranged to adjustably support the guides for axial adjustment.

3. In a folding machine for forming tubularly arranged collapsed boxblanks from flat scored sheets, the combination with an endlessconveyor, of means supplying but a single sheet to said conveyor, thesheets being supplied in successive and spaced relation thereto, spacedmeans simultaneously elevating towards each other the opposite ends ofthe sheets and from the plane of sheet travel, including cam guidesmovable in the direction of sheet travel for inturning the elevated endsof the sheet in the forward movement thereof, spaced means forpositioning the inturned and downturned ends with edges substantiallyabutting, and means arranged to engage the substantially abutting edgesfor initially squaring the infolded ends, compressing the same adjacentthe lower portion of the blank and then holding the same in thatposition for taping.

4. In a folding machine for forming tubularly arranged collapsed boxblanks from fiat scored sheets, the combination with an endlessconveyor, the sheets being supplied in successive and spaced relationthereto, of spaced cam guides for elevating the ends of the sheet in theforward movement thereof, means spaced further apart than the cam guidesfor retaining the elevated ends in elevated position, spaced means forengaging the elevated sheet end for inturning and downwardly folding thesame until the ends lie parallel to the sheet body and the outer edgesof the ends are substantially abutting, means arranged to engage thesubstantially abutting ends at the adjacent edges for initially holdingthe infolded ends in infolded relation, and other means for engaging theforward edges of the ends for aligning same with the adjacent lowerforward edge of the body of the sheet, said abutting edge engaging meanspressing the ends and body together and holding the same together and inposition for taping after the forward edge engaging means has alignedthe ends.

5. A device as defined by claim 4, characterized by the spaced elementsbeing adjustably mounted for different size sheet accommodation.

6. In a folding machine for forming a tubularly arranged collapsed boxin squared relation for pasting, the combination of spaced meansarranged to engage the ends of a sheet for turning same to lie parallelto and above the body of the sheet with the remote edges of the ends insubstantially abutting relation, means for engaging. the forward edgesof the ends for aligning the same in the forward travel of the sheet,and other means for pressingly engaging the infolded ends to hold thesame infolded adjacent the sheet body and in squared relation forpasting;

7. A device as defined by claim 6, characterized by the last-mentionedmeans comprising a camshaped pressing member including an elongatedextension.

8. A device as defined by claim 6, characterized by the secondlast-mentioned means including spaced and aligned wings, a supporttiltably supporting said wings, and yielding means normally projectingthe lower ends of the wings into the path of the forward moving sheet.

9. A device as defined by claim 6, characterized by the secondlast-mentioned means including spaced and aligned wings, a supporttiltably supporting said wings, and yielding means normally projectingthe lower ends of the wings into the path of the forward moving sheetand said other means comprising a cam shaped pressingifiember includingan elongated extension extending therefrom in the direction of sheettravel.

10. In a folding machine for forming tubularly arranged collapsed boxblanks from fiat scored sheets, the combination of an endless conveyorarranged to move progressively a succession of spaced single sheets,each sheet including spaced longitudinal scorings to form ends, a pairof elongated members longitudinally directed, and having their outeredges positioned within the longitudinal scorings but adjacent thereto,spaced means for elevating the ends and inturning the elevated ends oversaid members and with the inturned and downturned end edgessubstantially abutting, and means arranged to engage the substantiallyabutting edges'for initially squaring the infolded ends, compressing thesame adjacent the lower portion of blank and holding the same in thatposition for taping said last-mentioned means engaging the sheetsubsequent to the freeing of the sheet from said members.

11. In a folding machine for forming tubularly arranged collapsed boxblanks from flat scored sheets, the combination of an endless conveyorhaving a plurality of spaced sheet-moving members arranged toprogressively move a succession of spaced single sheets, each sheetincluding spaced longitudinal scorings to form ends, spaced meanssimultaneously elevating towards each other opposite ends of the sheetsand from the plane of sheet travel, a pair oi. spaced means hingedlymounted and arranged for inward movement towards each other forpositioning the inturned and downturned ends with edges substantiallyabutting, a plurality of spaced actuators carried by the conveyor, onefor each member, cam means engageable by each of said actuators, andmeans connecting the cam means to the pair of hinged means for actuatingthe same in timed relation to sheet travel.

12. In a folding machine for forming tubularly arranged collapsed boxblanks from flat scored sheets, the combination of a plurality ofconnected but spaced sheet-moving members arranged to progressively movea succession of spaced single sheets, each sheet including spacedlongitudinal scorings to form ends, spaced means simultaneouslyelevating towards each other 0pposite ends of the sheets and from theplane of sheet travel, a pair of spaced means hingedly mounted andarranged for inward movement towards each other for positioning theinturned and downturned ends with edges substantially abutting, anactuator carried by each member, cam means engageable by each of saidactuators, means connecting the cam means to the pair of hinged meansfor actuating the same in timed relation to sheet travel, an upwardlymovable plate carried by each member and normally constrained towardlowered position, means for moving the plates upwardly in opposition tothe constraint, other means arranged to engage the forward edge of thesheet and infolded ends to square the same subsequent to plate movement,and further means for retaining the, squared sheet and ends in collapsedand squared position for pasting.

13. In a folding machine for forming tubularly arranged collapsed boxblanks from flat scored sheets. the combination of a plurality ofconnected but spaced sheet moving members to progressively move asuccession of spaced single sheets, each sheet including spacedlongitudinal scorings to form ends, a pair of elongated memberslongitudinally directed and having their outer edges positioned withinthe longitudinal scorings but adjacent thereto, spaced means forelevating the ends and inturning the elevated ends over said members andwith the inturned and downturned end edges substantially abutting. a'nupwardly movable plate carried by each of the first mentioned membersand normally constrained toward lowered position, means for moving theplates upwardly in opposition to the constraint, said last mentionedmeans and plates being arranged for operation without interference fromthe elongated members, and means arranged to engage the substantiallyabutting edges for initially squaring the infolded ends, compressing thesame adjacent the lower portion of the blank and then holding the samein that position for taping, said last mentioned means engaging thesheet subsequent to the freeing of the sheet from said second mentionedmembers.

14. In a folding machine for forming tubularly arranged collapsed boxblanks from fiat scored sheets, the combination of a plurality ofconnected but spaced sheet moving members arranged to progressively movea succession of spaced single sheets, each sheet including spacedlongitudinal scorings to form ends. a pair of elongated memberslongitudinally directed and having their outer edges positioned withinthe longitudinal scorings, spaced means simultaneously elevating towardseach other opposite ends of the sheets and from the plane of sheettravel, a pair of spaced means hingedly mounted and arranged for inwardmovement towards each other for positioning the inturned and downturnedends with edges substantially abutting, said elongated 'membersterminating ahead of the hingedly mounted means, an actuator carried byeach first mentioned member, cam means engageable by each of saidactuators, and means connecting the cam means to the pair of hingedmeans for actuating the same in timed relation to sheet travel.

15. In a folding machine for forming tubularly arranged collapsed boxblanks from flat scored sheets, the combination of a plurality ofconnected but spaced sheet-moving members arranged to progressively movea succession of spaced single sheets, each sheet including spacedlongitudinal scorings to form ends, a pair of elongated memberslongitudinally directed and having their outer edges positioned withinthe longitudinal scorings, spaced means simultaneously elevating towardseach other opposite ends of the sheets and from the plane of sheettravel, a pair of spaced means hingedly mounted and arranged for inwardmovement towards each other for positioning the inturned and downturnedends with edges substantially abutting, said elongated membersterminating ahead of the hingedly mounted means, an actuator carried byeach first mentioned member, cam means engageable by each of saidactuators, means connecting the cam means to the pair of hinged meansfor actuating the same in timed relation to sheet travel, an upwardlymovable plate carried by each of the first mentioned members andnormally constrained toward lower position, and means for moving theplates upwardly in opposition to the constraint, said last mentionedmeans and plates being arranged for operation without interference fromthe elongated members.

16. In a folding machine for forming tubularly arranged collapsed boxblanks from flat scored sheets, the combination with an endlessconveyor, sheets being supplied in successive and spaced relationthereby, a rotating cam for elevating a scored end of the sheet from theplane of the sheet in a travel of the sheet, and means associated withthe rotating cam for moving the same longitudinally toward the foldingend in the folding movement and retracting the rotating cam after thecam has secured the elevation of the blank end.

17. A device as defined by claim 16, characterized by the last mentionedmeans comprising a rotating cam having a spiral groove, and meansassociated with said groove whereby the second mentioned rotating cam iscaused to reciprocate for predetermined travel of the first mentionedcam in the rotation of the cams.

18. A device as defined by claim 16, characterized by the last mentionedmeans comprising a rotating cam having a spiral groove. and meansassociated with said groove whereby the second mentioned rotating cam iscaused to reciprocate for predetermined travel of the first men- PAUL R.SIIWMONS.

